Let me start out by stating the obvious: I’m not an astrologer, nor a fortune-teller.
I lived and died by horoscopes as a teen, as I imagine many of you did as well. And while I now have a healthy sense of skepticism, I do believe in the power of positive thinking, was a little spooked at how accurate a certain Tarot card reader used to be, and am a second-degree Reiki practitioner (didn’t know that about me, did you?).
All of which is to say, I’ve had an extreme fascination with astrology in the past, and barely pay attention to it now. Probably much like you.
When I was going through my Reader last week, I came across this admittedly fun post on the best careers for your Zodiac sign (CareerBuilder). With a headline like that, how could I not stop and read it?
So I did, and here are a couple of excerpts:
“Many high school students take an aptitude test to guide them on a path that they would enjoy. Astrology works the same way ”” it’s like a blueprint of your personality,” says Katherine Metcalf, a professional astrologer from Phoenix, Ariz. “We all come into this world with likes and dislikes, natural talents and areas where we need to learn and grow.”
A Gemini, for example, is totally comfortable networking and socializing, Metcalf says. “Put her in marketing or sales and she’s happy. Stick her in a cubicle with no human contact and she will wither.”
(My sister is a Gemini. She sucks at sales.)
And
According to Metcalf, the most general way to identify your natural career strengths is by your element, of which there are four in the zodiac: Fire, Earth, Air and Water, with three signs belonging to each element.
…
Water signs (Cancer, Scorpio and Pisces): The Water signs are the touchy, feely people of the zodiac. Water is related to our emotions and many excel at counseling. They are highly empathic and each sign has its own unique energy.
(My husband is a Cancer. Touchy-feely? Ha!)
You should go read the post, it is a fun one. My question to you is, how seriously do you take this kind of thing?
Maybe the planets, moon, stars have some influence on us by virtue of where and when we are born. But don’t our surroundings, our upbringing also have a lot to do with that?
For example, here’s what this post says about Capricorn (my star sign):
Capricorn (December 22 – January 19)
Key traits: Ambitious, resourceful, patient and authoritarian. Driven and competitive, any project you take on, you’ll do what ever it takes to be the best.
Best careers: Finance, business development/management, doctor, trainer.
Careers to avoid: A financially risky jobs [sic] or a career where there is no room for advancement.
Hmm.
Ambitious: check. Resourceful: check. Patient: so not! Authoritarian: somewhat, though I’m trying to do better. Driven and competitive: yes, but not so’s I’d kill anyone over it.
Careers to avoid: a “financially risky jobs”… what the heck am I doing in PR then?!
In my opinion, things like Zodiac signs can be reassuring when we need it, but they can also hold us back if we believe what is “predestined” is all that we are capable of achieving. So while they’re good for fun, they shouldn’t be taken too seriously. Though it was smart of CareerBuilder to come up with a post like this that let them point you to various job listings on the site.
In my opinion (I know, the second time I’ve said that), what makes a good PR practitioner are, in no particular order:
- Excellent communication skills, and that includes writing
- Empathy – you have to be able to put yourself in other people’s shoes
- Tact
- Attention to detail
- Honesty – you have to be able to call BS when you see it (and yes, tell your clients as well, but in a tactful way)
- Integrity
- Creativity
- The desire to talk to people, especially if you’re working in social media
- Excellent listener
- Sense of humor
I’m sure I’ve left some out. But even these qualities are not limited to specific Zodiac signs, are they?
And if you really want to make good in PR, you could do a lot worse than follow these nine suggestions from Arik Hanson.
My point is
If you’ve set your mind on something, go do it. Never mind your star sign.
What do you think? Do you believe your star sign has helped – or hindered – you in your career? What do you think are the qualities of a good PR pro? Please let me know, the comments, as always, are yours.
Image: Art History Images (Holly Hayes) via Flickr, CC 2.0
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@timepass I suspect many of us are. :p
@Shonali Yeah, but its really corny also :) but then again I must confess that I am corny
@timepass GOLD STAR for coming up with that one!
Nice post, its funny how people tend to get compartmentalized into their star signs and anything else that lets them fit in…but its tough to understand why you would want to limit yourself?
That aside my star sign has always helped me, every time I tell people about it they just don’t believe it but it doesn’t matter caus eit works for me …..in case you’re wondering, its called “superstar” ;)
@3HatsComm Yay for piffle!
@Shonali “new” b.s. zodiac.. http://voices.washingtonpost.com/blog-post/2011/01/new_zodiac_sign_dates_dont_swi.html Some posts even add a new sign. Piffle. ;-)
@3HatsComm What’s the new Zodiac? The stuff they came up with ever since they decided Pluto wasn’t a planet?
So you’re Aquarius/Pisces, eh? Innnterestinggggg….
And I got a h/t from the Acronym Queen. Whoaaa!!!
@jenzings I think PR counsel would absolutely fit in. Though you’d probably get paid much more as a “real” counselor (aargh!).
A Gemini in a cubicle. Well, I nevah! :p My sister (also a Gemini, as I mentioned) is a terrible multi-tasker, as far as I know. However, she IS very laser-focused when she wants something.
@Krista OMG, I totally want to see you as a flight attendant! In fact, I want to see you, @3HatsComm , @ginidietrich , oh, and also skypulsemedia as flight attendants. :p
And a little grit… talk about a LOT of grit! Thanks so much for commenting, Krista!
PISCES and I am sticking to it, don’t care what anyone says. New Zodiac? Rubbish! March 10 so allegedly I’m on the cusp or *GASP* Aquarius. Not that there’s anything wrong with that but I am sorta Pisces, except my ‘touchy-feely’ is kept mostly on the inside. And in the Chinese Zodiac, I’m a boar (not bore wonk wonk) and… yeah it fits too. Really it’s the power of suggestion and we read what we want/like, dismiss what we don’t. You have such fun with these posts, never would have occurred to me to write this, hat tip Shonali.
I found it a fun diversion when I was younger, but that’s about it. Interestingly enough, mine is pretty accurate: “Diplomatic, artistic, intelligent yet prone to indecision.” Yup. I can “on the one hand/on the other hand” a decision to death. Seriously, it’s something I’ve actively had to work on! I’m a Libra, and it does list “counselor” as a profession–does PR counsel fit?
My sister is also a Gemini, and is the polar opposite of the description. She does, in fact, work in a cubicle for an insurance company, and is happy as a clam. She is the single worst multi-tasker I’ve ever come across (this is said with much affection, she will admit that she’s better with a single focus!).
Like you, Shonali, I also had a big facsination with astrology as a youngster, but found I was anything but what my sign said I should be. I got a good laugh from reading my profile in the article- as a Sagittarius, it said I am optimistic, philosophical and straightforward. Ok, so far so good. But my best careers included an airline pilot, a flight attendant, and the sports industry! Fail…
But to your point, it’s better to live your life as you want to and not how a sign or the stars say you should. I think your qualities of a good PR pro are spot on–it takes good writing and listening skills, patience and empathy, but also a little grit to make it through the day some days.